Engine Boy, I Love You!

# 7 Engine Boy, I Love You! | Ch. 1: The Day Before

He knew she hated formalities, but knowing this was going to be a moment that would forever change the direction of their lives, he'd made sure they were both dressed for the occasion. He'd called her about a thousand times before the event, just to guarantee she would remember and arrive relatively on time. He had even booked this place months in advance so that he could keep an eye on the weather, food prices, and occupancy of the restaurant.

He was also unconsolably nervous, but that was unavoidable. After all, he knew what was going to come out of this day. He knew what it would mean for them—their future, and naturally that made him so apprehensive, he felt like throwing up. (And admittedly, he already had once or twice the day before.) The only thing keeping him from doing so now, was the awareness that no number of mints would make up for the smell later on—and heavens knew that having fresh breath would be crucial tonight.

However, stepping up to the front doors, he realized she wasn't there.

Confused, he looked all around—eyes squinting as he traced the edges of the sidewalks where the streetlights glowed, until he spotted something at the pier. The dock adjacent to the restaurant, though void of boats, had a single occupant seated on one of the pilings.

Slender, with snow-tinted skin from the glow of the starlight, he knew precisely who it was that was waiting for him. He could recognize that strawberry-pink hair anywhere.

Not wanting to keep her waiting any longer, he hurried down to the dock, pretending to muster a patronizing expression as he approached. After all, he had to let her know it'd been impolite not to tell him she'd already arrived. He had been waiting around for the past ten minutes.

"There you are," he sighed in an exaggeratedly bothered tone, "Just how long were you going to have me wait, exactly?"

She turned around, and his heart about melted.

Oh, she was so beautiful.

"Whoopsie, my bad! I left earlier than expected from my hair stylist, so I just decided to hang around for you, and got bored," she then paused, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear to smile at him, "Why, were you worried about me?"

He admired her for another moment, eyeing the curves in her bright pink dress. The unique asymmetry in her sleeves, as one billowed with the breeze while the other was just a simple strap, the folds and wrinkles that traced her slim waist, and of course that darling sweetheart neckline she was so fond of wearing. (Perhaps because she knew it always made him stare. She loved tempting him like that—not that he minded anymore.)

"You know I always worry," he said slowly, finally blinking away from her body to look her in the eyes, (and yes, she was indeed smirking) "Aren't you concerned the wind will mess up your hair?"

"Psh, they used hairspray. I think undoing it is going to be more of a hassle later."

As he held out his hand to help her to hop off of the pillar, he glanced at the beautiful braids in her hair, recognizing it to have likely been the work of one of their old classmates. Then at the clack of her heels, he slid his hand up to rest on her bare left shoulder, and pulled her into the crook of his arm so that she wouldn't fall. He leaned a bit closer too, so that he could whisper something secret for her before they were back in public earshot.

"(...Then it sounds like I'll have to help you with that later tonight.)"

He could feel her shoulder grow warmer beneath his touch as she spun to blink at him, completely astounded.

"You—huh?" she sputtered.

It took all the strength in him to not flinch away in mortification at himself for uttering that, but he was determined not to lose his composure tonight.